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Zimbabwean Opposition Leader says People, Not Sanctions, Can Change Country

   Peter Clottey 27 September 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   President Robert Mugabe at the U.N General Assembly

   A leading opposition figure said changing the way Zimbabwe operates is
   the primary responsibility of ordinary Zimbabweans.

   Simba Makoni, an independent candidate in Zimbabweâs 2008 presidential
   election,  told  VOA,  while  U.S.  sanctions against President Robert
   Mugabe  and  about 100 political and financial backers are having some
   effect,  he questions whether they will bring about the changes needed
   in the area of human rights and political freedom.

   âIâm  sure many people will not be surprised by that conclusion by the
   U.S  government  because  those  of  us  who live here notice no major
   difference  in the conditions under which we live compared to 2008 and
   going  back.  So, it was a pretty well understandable position for the
   U.S government to take.â

   The  U.S government has imposed targeted measures, including financial
   and  visa  sanctions,  against  Zimbabweâs leader and his allies until
   there are improvements in freedoms and respect for human rights.

AFP Photo

   Simba Makoni

   The  State  Department  said in a statement last week that âas long as
   human  rights  violations,  land  seizures,  and intimidation of those
   participating  in  the  political  process  continue,  the  sanctioned
   individuals  and  entities  on the list who continue to perpetrate and
   benefit from these acts are unlikely to be removed.â

   Mr. Mugabe has described the sanctions as âillegal.â

   Makoni  said he is not surprised by Washingtonâs decision maintain the
   sanctions  until  President Mugabe and his allies respect freedoms and
   human rights.

   âIâm  not  aware  of  any  occasion (Mr.) Mugabe has to talk about the
   situation and not complain about what he calls illegal sanctions. That
   already  shows  that he is worried about it. We are aware that many of
   those  individuals who are affected by those measures would prefer not
   to  be  (a) target of those measures. So, I think the measures have an
   effect.â

   Makoni,  however,  said it is unlikely that the U.S. imposed sanctions
   will  change the behavior of President Mugabe and his close allies. He
   called  on  people  who  describe themselves as friends of Zimbabwe to
   help  in  the  effort  to  change the fortunes of the southern African
   country.

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